State Licensure

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Hi all nurses and nursing students!! :)

I had a question about everyone's FAVORITE exam, the NCLEX-RN. I'm a senior nursing student, and I'll be graduating with my BSN in May. I currently live in, and go to school in Hawaii, but will be making the move to California afterward to (hopefully) find a job. (Hawaii's outlook for new grad RNs isn't too bright for new grads).

How would you go about applying for licensure? Will I be able to take the test here in Hawaii, and apply to send my results to California for my initial licensure? Or do I have to be licensed in Hawaii before I can endorse it to CA?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Urology, ENT.

Have you already paid for everything? If you have, it would be easier to get licensed in the state you attend school. You should call the California Board of Nursing to find out.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Have you already paid for everything? If you have, it would be easier to get licensed in the state you attend school. You should call the California Board of Nursing to find out.

I disagree. There is no point in paying for a license you have no intention to use. You can absolutely take NCLEX in Hawaii for licensure in California. NCLEX is a national exam. OP, when you submit your application to Pearson Vue, you apply for California licensure. When you get your ATT, you can physically take your NCLEX in whatever state you choose- you can take it in Montana for all anyone cares if you'll be there.

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Thanks so much for your answer!! Yeah, hopefully it saves me just a little more money and stress to take it in Hawaii before I move. Thanks again :)

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I disagree. There is no point in paying for a license you have no intention to use. You can absolutely take NCLEX in Hawaii for licensure in California. NCLEX is a national exam. OP, when you submit your application to Pearson Vue, you apply for California licensure. When you get your ATT, you can physically take your NCLEX in whatever state you choose- you can take it in Montana for all anyone cares if you'll be there.

OP, you also need to request that your school send all your info/records to the CA BRN instead of to the HI BON. Schools all automatically send the info on graduating students to their own state BON; they can send it somewhere else instead, but you have to let them know that's what you want them to do.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I realize this doesn't address your question, but where in CA are you headed? We have one of the worst job markets for nurses in the nation right now, unless you're headed to an isolated rural hospital in the Central Valley or something. Make sure you have something lined up before you spend the money on a move that doesn't give you what you need.

Good luck!

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Yeah I know Cali has a bad job market right now, but even as bad as it is, Hawaii's is worse. At least in CA, I'd have the opportunity to look for residencies and/or new grad programs whereas all of Hawaii's hospitals pretty much nixed theirs this past year. I know it's expensive, but I chose California as I have family that are allowing me to stay with them in the meantime and save me the expenses I'd have if I moved somewhere I'd need to live alone. There's also more facilities in one COUNTY in California than there are in the entire state of Hawaii. We're that small lol.

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